Because of the current, wind, etc. it would up definitely being more than 440 yards...the first person out of the water took 7 minutes. Full contact due to the narrow start area, even though I held back a bit in the beginning. Squeezed inside at the buoy closer than I wanted too (had to contort around the rope) Got too wide off course (even more than everyone else) and almost ran into a lifeguard. Had a good last 200 yards pretty much by myself.

Practice more, get faster. Trying to draft in the back of the pack is frustrating...it seems like just when I finally settle in behind someone he stops/changes to breast stroke, goes off course. I imagine it's wonderful when the person in front of you is just cruising along at a steady and consistent pace.

Didn't rush. Just took my time and went through everything without incident. Socks + bike shoes, race belt take an extra second, but then I save that time in T2. 12/15 age group.

Nothing. I'm happy with the time, could get a little bit faster with practice.

The bike course is nice. I wasn't prepared for the headwind on the way out, but it was nice on the way back in. Came out of T1 right behind the eventual women's overall winner. Kept up with her for the first 8 miles or so, but she pulled away on the return leg (she finished 36 seconds ahead of me). Goal for this season: Beat all of the women on the bike.

Not much. Maybe push a little bit harder with the tailwind, but that might have taken too much out of my legs.

Very smooth. 9/15 age group. It would be nice to be able to get out my shoes on the bike, but 3-strap road shoes are too likely to get caught up in the drivetrain for me to risk it in a race.

Find a company that makes tri-shoes in size 50 (and the money to pay for them).

Right on my target pace. Average HR was 164, so I could have pushed it a little bit harder. Coming off the bike in the top 20%, then being in the bottom third of the runners is a bit demoralizing. I feel really out of place with all of the gazelles blowing by me like I'm standing still (including a 12 year old girl who was cruising comfortably at a 7:40 pace).
Some breathing issues at the start, but I relaxed and got it under control.

Run more. Goal for the end of the season: Get in the vicinity of 8:00 miles.

Grabbed some water and found Steph's mom. Waited along the finish chute for Alisyn, Steph and Cheryl to come through.


Not enough run/swim training.


DRC races are really nice. Everything goes like clockwork, and they're cheap. No frills, but that's not what I'm looking for.